100 Most Influential People in Healthcare - 2020

Hahn spent most of 2020 in political whiplash, either receiving praise for expediting authorization of COVID tests or dodging criticism over that same speedy process. In September, Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, questioned the FDA commissioner’s leadership, citing the quick nod Hahn gave hydroxychloroquine after President Donald Trump called it a miracle drug. Topol two months later said he had renewed confidence in Hahn, after standing up to Trump during vaccine development. But that rebellion came at a price as the administration is reportedly considering terminating Hahn.